Episode 65: Dream Job

June 30, 2019 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 65, Johnny Malloy tells us about his passion for hiking and backpacking and how it led to a 30+ year career as a guidebook author. Johnny graduated from the University of Tennessee in the 80's with an economics degree but decided to never work a 9-5 job. He is now an accomplished outdoor writer and columnist with over 70 camping, fishing, hiking, and padding guidebooks to his credit - covering 26 States in the U.S. with many in the heart of Dixie. We recently met at Trail Days … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backcountry Writing, Backpacking, Backpacking Trails, Books, Florida Trail, Guidebooks, Hiking, Long Distance Backpacking, Podcasts, Thru-Hiker

Episode 62B: Backpacker Feud

March 27, 2019 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 62, we discuss a dozen ways to die in the backcountry - based on an article published in Backpacker magazine and recently updated on their online website. In the show, Beer Run and Therm Rider join me for a "Backpacker Feud" (patterned after the TV game show) to name the top ten killers in the backcountry. Not to make light of the top dangers in the wilderness ... but they are worth knowing and you'll most certainly be surprised by what is NOT on the list. This podcast was … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Discussions, Hiking Safety, Humor, Mishaps, Podcasts

The Best Packs For Backpacking

February 15, 2019 By Leave a Comment

We spend a lot of time recommending to each other the best hikes to head out on. When we do it, we give a lot of advice about things to see and do on the walk. We talk about the difficulty of the terrain, and the scenery to look out for on the way. We point out all the landmarks that will help us stay on track, and all the great places to eat or drink when we’re stopping for refreshments. We might even impart a little wisdom on the best gear to take along for the journey; what kind of clothing … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Gear, Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear, Long Distance Backpacking

Episode 46: Renegade Camping

November 14, 2017 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 46, we continue the conversation with author Bryan Snyder who talks about Renegade Car Camping in North America.  In the podcast, we discuss how to find free campsites while you are on the road.  Bryan also tells us how to leverage some public and Internet resources to maximize the experience and save some money in the process. Bryan is an educator, hiker, backpacker, climber, car camper and all-around adventurer, and he has logged over 350K miles in his Jeep Cherokee, … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Hacks, Books, Car Camping, Cross-Country Adventures, Podcasts, Road Trips

Episode 39: Hiking News 2016 (Grand Canyon)

April 1, 2017 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 39, Therm Rider and I do a live winter show from the Yavapai Lodge at the South Rim of the Grand Canyon.  After a day hiking on the Arizona and Rim Trails, we kick back a cold one and discuss some of the major hiking news events of 2016. In the show, Therm Rider and I recap and debate some of the U.S. news events that were heavily publicized in the outdoor community last year - including epic fails with drones, lost lives from selfies, and wildlife issues and encounters.  … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Discussions, Backpacking News, Backpacking Trails, Grand Canyon National Park, Hiking Articles, Hiking News, Hollywood Movies, Long Distance Backpacking, National Parks, Podcasts, Trail Politics, Trail Talk, Wildlife

Episode 33: Backpacking Everest

August 14, 2016 By Leave a Comment

In Episode 33, Alex Staniforth talks about his recently published book Icefall which details how he survived two of the deadliest seasons of record on Mt. Everest during the 2014 and 2015 climbing seasons.  Alex was picked on in his youth, but talks openly about how he channeled his energy in to outdoor activities - which eventually led him to raise funds and climb the tallest mountain in the world. In my first international interview, we discuss backpacking in Nepal, hiking to base … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking, Books, Hiking, Mountaineering, Podcasts

Return Of The Dana!

August 29, 2015 By Leave a Comment

In the mid-90', Dana Design was the backpack for thru-hikers on the Appalachian Trail.  I liked mine so much that I bought a second one two years after my thru-hike despite the steep price of $400+ And Dana Gleason, founder of his namesake Dana Designs, has returned to the market!  After selling his company and watching a series of outdoor companies fumble with a once dominant brand - Dana is back (and so is the Terraplane). The U.S. Military and U.S. Forest Service "hot shot" … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking, Backpacking Articles, Gear, Hiking, Hiking Articles, Hiking Gear, Humor, Long Distance Backpacking Tagged With: , , , ,

Showers Bring Waterfalls And Flowers For Our Summer Backpacking Trip To Panthertown Valley

July 16, 2015 By 1 Comment

Panthertown Valley is one of my favorite hiking spots in North Carolina. It is located near Cashiers, NC in the western section of the State and was purchased by the Nature Conservancy from Duke Power in 1989. Panthertown is now part of the Nantahala National Forest and has been growing rapidly in popularity - especially over the last ten years. Schoolhouse Falls is one of the most popular waterfalls in Panthertown. When we first visited Panthertown in 2001, there was only the occasional day … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Backpacking Articles, Backpacking With Your Dog, Camping With Your Dog, Fishing, Hiking With Kids, National Forest, Photo Journals, Photos, Waterfalls

A Thru-Hiker Looks At 20

March 4, 2015 By Leave a Comment

It’s been 20 years since I thru-hiked the Appalachian Trail.  There’s no doubt, it was a different Trail back then – fewer thru-hikers, no cell phones, and no websites to research the A.T. prior to heading out.  Thru-hikers today are better informed, better connected, and significantly better prepared than when I hiked in 1994.  That said, here are some tips for the Class of 2015 as you start the A.T. this Spring:     Create, then ditch your itinerary. It’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Tips, Hiking Articles, Long Distance Backpacking, Management

Walk In The Woods premieres to mixed reviews

January 28, 2015 By Leave a Comment

Walk In The Woods premiered at the Sundance Film Festival this week to mixed reviews.  Here's a sampling... The Guardian "Plenty of silly little incidents ensue along the way, with lots of jokes about advancing years. Most of these episodes are far too low-stakes to carry a movie and the bigger picture, about two men past their prime trying to figure out what to do in their dotage, is handled far too simply to have real impact. The result is something that is just fine. It’s … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Appalachian Trail, Backpacking Articles, Backpacking Movies, Backpacking News, Hiking Movies, Hollywood Movies, Humor Tagged With:
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